The polls will be held on October 8, October 10, October 13, and October 16, and votes will be counted on October 20.

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday announced dates for elections to the municipal bodies, reported ANI. The polls will be held in four phases on October 8, October 10, October 13, and October 16, said the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Shaleen Kabra. The counting of votes will take place on October 20.

Kabra said the notification for the first phase of the polls will be issued on September 18, reported Greater Kashmir. The remaining notifications will be issued on September 20, September 22, and September 24 respectively. Kabra said 17 lakh people are eligible to cast their votes.

Panchayats in the state will vote in eight phases between November 8 and December 4, it was earlier announced.

Both the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party will not contest the polls. While Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP urged the central government to reconsider conducting them, the National Conference said it would boycott elections until the central government clarifies its position on Article 35A of the Constitution.

Jammu and Kashmir has been under Governor’s Rule since June.

Municipal Elections shall be held in 4 phases. Date of polling would be Oct 08, Oct 10, Oct 13 & Oct 16. Counting shall take place on Oct 20 after all the phases are over. Poll hours will be from 7am to 2pm: Chief Electoral Officer Shaleen Kabra #JammuAndKashmirpic.twitter.com/wqUYbIOo1K